Alberta Area Vacation (1 Viewer)

[steelerfan1]

Hello FBG's,

Anyone have any experience in the area for recommendations?

I've always wanted to see Banff, but not sure if that is worth being a home-base so to speak.

Would be in the June-July time frame. Budget isn't super great. Wouldn't want to go much over $250 a night for lodging. Would obviously be doing outside things, but the wife also enjoys shopping. Not sure the availability with that?

What's a good amount of time that would be needed?

You have any must see/do's, places to eat, go, etc. Thanks for any help.

 

[Parrothead]

planning a trip there next year

 

[Borden]

I’m not sure where you’re going but if you’re not going specifically to a spot (say for work or something) then I would say to go to Calgary (beautiful hour drive to Banff through foothills and mountains) and make a couple day trip to Banff. Don’t go out to Banff on the July 1st weekend because that’s a Canadian long weekend. If you go to Calgary on the next weekend (July 6th) is the Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Zoo is also a decent spot in the summer. CFL games are a good time too. In Banff there’s horseback tours through the mountains, kayak and whitewater rafting. There’s lots to do that way.

As for shopping, there’s a big outlet mall just north of Calgary called Cross Iron mall. I think that’s the name but not 100% sure. If you from the States then there not much point in buying up here for anything that you can get down there. Nothing good for shopping is in Banff it’s all overpriced or Knick knack stuff. 

 

[Osaurus]

Jasper is better than Banff imo.  I didn’t really like Calgary much either.

 

[northern exposure]

I’m not sure where you’re going but if you’re not going specifically to a spot (say for work or something) then I would say to go to Calgary (beautiful 3 hour drive to Banff through foothills and mountains) and make a couple day trip to Banff. Don’t go out to Banff on the July 1st weekend because that’s a Canadian long weekend. If you go to Calgary on the next weekend (July 6th) is the Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Zoo is also a decent spot in the summer. CFL games are a good time too. In Banff there’s horseback tours through the mountains, kayak and whitewater rafting. There’s lots to do that way.

As for shopping, there’s a big outlet mall just north of Calgary called Cross Iron mall. I think that’s the name but not 100% sure. If you from the States then there not much point in buying up here for anything that you can get down there. Nothing good for shopping is in Banff it’s all overpriced or Knick knack stuff. 

Borden has a good start above. The outlet mall just a short drive North of Calgary is called Cross Iron Mills. 

Not sure if you are flying into a city and driving a rental or driving up from your home, but Calgary is a good starting point. I have no idea how outdoorsy you and your wife are, but from there I would be sure to stop in Canmore. You can rent bikes and ride them on trails from the Nordic Center. Probably could spend most of a day in Canmore and then head to Banff. Lots of hiking and sightseeing to be done here. I would grab a meal at Melissa's in Banff (either breakfast or lunch). 

Then I would be sure to go to Lake Louise and check out the Chateau Lake Louise. Beautiful setting with a lake behind the hotel that you can just sit and enjoy the view.

I would travel from Banff to Jasper through the Columbia Icefields Parkway and be sure to make a stop at the Icefields. You'll get lots of different opinions regarding Banff vs Jasper, but I find Banff too commercialized and much prefer Jasper's laidback mountain village vibe. I would stay at Becker's Roaring River Chalets in Jasper. You can get individual cabins that are a great experience. Jasper has lots to see and do. I would suggest going through the Maligne Canyon by walking on the trails and footbridges, taking the SkyTram up Whistler's Mountain, whitewater rafting and checking out Athabasca Falls. 

From Jasper I would head to Edmonton and if your wife loves shopping she has to see the West Edmonton Mall. Besides the shopping there is a skating rink, indoor waterpark and amusement park with a roller coaster, etc. inside the Mall that are worth checking out. With the US v Canadian dollar exchange rate your wife should find some great deals in WEM. 

I live in Edmonton and have spent quite a bit of time in Banff, Jasper, Calgary, Canmore and Lake Louise. If you give me an idea of the types of food you like to eat and whether you want more casual or formal dining or a mix of both, I can suggest restaurants in each place. 

If I have a better idea of your preferred activities, I can suggest other things to do as well. 

 

[Borden]

@northern exposure Hello my fellow Edmontonian! That's a great Alberta tour you have there. I’ll add the drive times in a spoiler. The reason I recommended Calgary is because the June/July time frame and the Stampede being around then. Plus I was thinking the Calgary and Banff combo is a bit easier of a drive than Edmonton - Jasper if going to them all than that’s different.

@steelerfan1 If you decide on Edmonton then West Edmonton Mall is a must. For a bit more of an upscale day, the Art Gallery of Alberta, the normal museum (I forget the name off hand), then the Space and Science Center. At night there’s a the Citadel Theatre for plays. All of these could be hit in a day since they’re all downtown. There’s also the new rink/casino/hotel to stay at downtown. 

Spoiler

Calgary to Banff is 1 hour 28 minutes (I was thinking Edmonton to Jasper when I said it takes 3 hours to get there).


Banff to Columbia Icefields is 2 hours 19 minutes

Icefields to Jasper is 1 hour 23 minutes

Jasper to Edmonton is 3 hours 49 minutes

 

[northern exposure]

@Borden Nice to know there is a fellow Edmontonian on these boards! I have only encountered a handful of Calgarians in the FFA before. Just to add to your post, the Royal Alberta Museum is currently in the process of moving into its new downtown location and is not yet open to the public. I tried to find a scheduled opening date, but only found a very vague scheduled opening date of 2018. 

The Space and Science Center is now called Telus World of Science. 

The rink is called Rogers Place. My youngest son and I went to a Oil Kings (junior hockey) game yesterday and the arena and surrounding area (called Ice District) are worth checking out. The Grand Villa casino is right next door to Rogers Place and worth checking out.

I would add doing a walk in the Whyte Avenue area of Edmonton. Lots of eclectic shops, cafes, brew pubs, bars, etc. Good for a relaxing day where you can pop in to any place that intrigues you. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

Havent been in over 30 yrs so i dont know what's been overrun and what costs what, but it used to be that, if you wanted to do the Lake Louise thing but didnt like to be herded, going a lil past to the Yoho Park or down to Moraine Lake was totally worth it. As beautiful as any lake region on the continent. enjoy -

 

[Borden]

@Borden Nice to know there is a fellow Edmontonian on these boards! I have only encountered a handful of Calgarians in the FFA before. Just to add to your post, the Royal Alberta Museum is currently in the process of moving into its new downtown location and is not yet open to the public. I tried to find a scheduled opening date, but only found a very vague scheduled opening date of 2018. 

The Space and Science Center is now called Telus World of Science. 

The rink is called Rogers Place. My youngest son and I went to a Oil Kings (junior hockey) game yesterday and the arena and surrounding area (called Ice District) are worth checking out. 

I would add doing a walk in the Whyte Avenue area of Edmonton. Lots of eclectic shops, cafes, brew pubs, bars, etc. Good for a relaxing day where you can pop in to any place that intrigues you. 

Thank you for clearing up my post. I got the Royal Tyrrell (the dinosaur museum in Drumheller) suck in my head when I was thinking about the museum name. 

Depending on the time of summer there’s the street performers festival, taste of Edmonton, Klondike Days (or whatever it’s called now) going on around Whyte Ave too.

The Comic Strip is a really good way to cap off a day at West Ed. Mall. 

 

[northern exposure]

Thank you for clearing up my post. I got the Royal Tyrrell (the dinosaur museum in Drumheller) suck in my head when I was thinking about the museum name. 

Depending on the time of summer there’s the street performers festival, taste of Edmonton, Klondike Days (or whatever it’s called now) going on around Whyte Ave too.

The Comic Strip is a really good way to cap off a day at West Ed. Mall. 

In my opinion the best time to be around the Whyte Avenue area is during the Fringe Theater Festival. That happens in August though and I think steelersfan1 mentioned a June/July timeframe. 

 

[steelerfan1]

Thanks a bunch guys!

@northern exposure  @Borden

Food wise, we are looking for higher end pub/bar type stuff. Definitely not dive bar and definitely not the places that give you 1 oz of steak and do a little art on my plate and charge me $100.

We will be renting a car and flying in. After reading your and Borden's replies, thinking about flying into Edmonton and doing the loop as it looks like 4 hours each way either to Jasper or Banff. Although Calgary is closer, it sounds like Edmonton may have more to offer?

Do you think day 1 in Edmonton, day 2 and 3 in Banff/Canmore, day 4 Lake Louise, day 5 and 6 in Jasper and end with day 7 back in Edmonton, flying out the following morning would be enough time to take things in?

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Borden]

Thanks a bunch guys!

@northern exposure  @Borden

Food wise, we are looking for higher end pub/bar type stuff. Definitely not dive bar and definitely not the places that give you 1 oz of steak and do a little art on my plate and charge me $100.

We will be renting a car and flying in. After reading your and Borden's replies, thinking about flying into Edmonton and doing the loop as it looks like 4 hours each way either to Jasper or Banff. Although Calgary is closer, it sounds like Edmonton may have more to offer?

Do you think day 1 in Edmonton, day 2 and 3 in Banff/Canmore, day 4 Lake Louise, day 5 and 6 in Jasper and end with day 7 back in Edmonton, flying out the following morning would be enough time to take things in?

Thanks again everyone.

I’m sure Calgary has a bunch of similar things it’s just we don’t live there so we don’t know all the places. 

I’m on the south side so most of my food recommendations will be a bit away (20-25 minute drive) from the places we/I recommended. My favourite is Sicilian Pasta Kitchen South. The Pasta Kitchen I actually prefer to go during lunch or the afternoon because it’s usually isn’t too pretty busy. But whenever you go the food will be great. Start with the mussels. The Moose Factory is a bit expensive but it’s not the artistic small portion thing. One caveat is that I have hear negative things about brunch  buffet but go there for dinner and an actual meal.  The Canadian Brewhouse and Brewster’s are both chains but not bad pub style spots. The Sawmill is a decent steak spot and their steak sauce awesome.

Where are you flying in from? If it’s not too crazy of a flight, I just head straight to Banff. You might be able to rent a car in Calgary and drop it off in Edmonton. Then I’d hit the Calgary Zoo on my way out. You’ll need an entire day set aside for West Edmonton Mall but I don’t think you need to do the other stuff that we mentioned. The mountains are the priority but if you lose interest in big rocks then head back to Edmonton a day early. 

 

[steelerfan1]

I’m sure Calgary has a bunch of similar things it’s just we don’t live there so we don’t know all the places. 

I’m on the south side so most of my food recommendations will be a bit away (20-25 minute drive) from the places we/I recommended. My favourite is Sicilian Pasta Kitchen South. The Pasta Kitchen I actually prefer to go during lunch or the afternoon because it’s usually isn’t too pretty busy. But whenever you go the food will be great. Start with the mussels. The Moose Factory is a bit expensive but it’s not the artistic small portion thing. One caveat is that I have hear negative things about brunch  buffet but go there for dinner and an actual meal.  The Canadian Brewhouse and Brewster’s are both chains but not bad pub style spots. The Sawmill is a decent steak spot and their steak sauce awesome.

Where are you flying in from? If it’s not too crazy of a flight, I just head straight to Banff. You might be able to rent a car in Calgary and drop it off in Edmonton. Then I’d hit the Calgary Zoo on my way out. You’ll need an entire day set aside for West Edmonton Mall but I don’t think you need to do the other stuff that we mentioned. The mountains are the priority but if you lose interest in big rocks then head back to Edmonton a day early. 

thanks borden!

 

[steelerfan1]

So, trip is booked. It's not exactly what we started off looking at but time off, costs, etc...

We are heading to Canada in August.

Flying into Calgary was cheaper than Edmonton by a lot, so we are landing in Calgary around 1:15 PM. I've read 45 minutes should be enough to clear customs. I'm figuring in another 1 hour to get rental car at the terminal there, so the plan is to be on the road by 3 PM or so.

The gameplan as of today is to head from Calagary to Canmore and spend 1 night in Canmore.

Then spend 2 nights in Banff, ideally finding a hotel around the 500 block or so. Not right downtown, but an easy walk to get there.

Then head to Jasper for 2 nights. Were contemplating 1 night in Lake Louise and 1 in Jasper, but I think Banff is close enough to Lake Louise and we need to head that way anyway to get to Jasper.

The wife really wants to go to the West Edmonton Mall, so Sunday Morning we plan to leave Jasper and go to Edmonton and spend the day at the Mall and staying over a night in Edmonton. We'll get up early from there and head to Elk Island Park for a bit.

From there we plan to drive to Calgary and stay the night there as we have an early flight out in the morning. We may have time to just get a nice meal in Calgary, but won't have a ton of time there I'm guessing.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[Borden]

@steelerfan1 That sounds like a pretty good trip. What made you decide to go to Elk Island? Just curious because I’ve never been there.

 

[steelerfan1]

@steelerfan1 That sounds like a pretty good trip. What made you decide to go to Elk Island? Just curious because I’ve never been there.

Hi Borden,

The wife was checking it out and wanted to get the chance to drive around with all the Bison. I will be getting the insurance for the car rental this time around

 

[Borden]

Hi Borden,

The wife was checking it out and wanted to get the chance to drive around with all the Bison. I will be getting the insurance for the car rental this time around

Hahahaha. I know that the moose, bison and elk are overpopulated there right now so hopefully you see lots.

The days are long and Elk Island is probably an hour drive from the mall. And it’s all highway from Elk Island to Calgary so that’s probably 4 hours. You could leave the park at 6pm and still get daylight for almost all of the drive to Calgary (if that’s something that concerns you). I guess I’m just saying that you don’t need to feel rushed that morning. 

 

[steelerfan1]

Hahahaha. I know that the moose, bison and elk are overpopulated there right now so hopefully you see lots.

The days are long and Elk Island is probably an hour drive from the mall. And it’s all highway from Elk Island to Calgary so that’s probably 4 hours. You could leave the park at 6pm and still get daylight for almost all of the drive to Calgary (if that’s something that concerns you). I guess I’m just saying that you don’t need to feel rushed that morning. 

Thanks Borden,

The thinking is that if we left Jasper Sunday, we'd spend all day at the mall and Whyte area. 

Monday morning we'd hit Elk Island for a few and then back to Calgary. 

Daylight isn't a concern, but maybe was hoping to get a quick glimpse of something in Calgary. 

Plus we have a 6 AM flight out on Tuesday and I'm old and can't pull an all nighter so wanted to crash in the hotel at a reasonable time.

 

[Borden]

Thanks Borden,

The thinking is that if we left Jasper Sunday, we'd spend all day at the mall and Whyte area. 

Monday morning we'd hit Elk Island for a few and then back to Calgary. 

Daylight isn't a concern, but maybe was hoping to get a quick glimpse of something in Calgary. 

Plus we have a 6 AM flight out on Tuesday and I'm old and can't pull an all nighter so wanted to crash in the hotel at a reasonable time.

The mall and Whyte Ave aren’t really that close to each other, 20 minute drive, plus parking might be a PITA. I’d really suggest giving the Mall most of that time and leaving Whyte Ave as a back up if you guys decide to get out of there. There’s so many stores that, if she’s like my missus, as soon as she starts trying things on your entire day is shot. Plus there’s things like mini golf, a gun range, go karts and more to do. Even just window shopping takes a couple hours. To me, Whyte Ave is like something I would do on a Sunday if I was bored and didn’t have anything else to do. Or when I was younger, it was a good spot for weekend nights because of all the bars. In my experience, you can find a Whyte Ave type of experience in most cities in the US and Canada. The giant mall is a bit more unique to Edmonton.

 

[zoonation]

I’m not sure where you’re going but if you’re not going specifically to a spot (say for work or something) then I would say to go to Calgary (beautiful 3 hour drive to Banff through foothills and mountains) and make a couple day trip to Banff. Don’t go out to Banff on the July 1st weekend because that’s a Canadian long weekend. If you go to Calgary on the next weekend (July 6th) is the Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Zoo is also a decent spot in the summer. CFL games are a good time too. In Banff there’s horseback tours through the mountains, kayak and whitewater rafting. There’s lots to do that way.

As for shopping, there’s a big outlet mall just north of Calgary called Cross Iron mall. I think that’s the name but not 100% sure. If you from the States then there not much point in buying up here for anything that you can get down there. Nothing good for shopping is in Banff it’s all overpriced or Knick knack stuff. 

Banff is an hour from Calgary, not three

 

[Borden]

Banff is an hour from Calgary, not three

I addressed that in a following post but made an edit now. 

 

[northern exposure]

So, trip is booked. It's not exactly what we started off looking at but time off, costs, etc...

We are heading to Canada in August.

Flying into Calgary was cheaper than Edmonton by a lot, so we are landing in Calgary around 1:15 PM. I've read 45 minutes should be enough to clear customs. I'm figuring in another 1 hour to get rental car at the terminal there, so the plan is to be on the road by 3 PM or so.

The gameplan as of today is to head from Calagary to Canmore and spend 1 night in Canmore.

Then spend 2 nights in Banff, ideally finding a hotel around the 500 block or so. Not right downtown, but an easy walk to get there.

Then head to Jasper for 2 nights. Were contemplating 1 night in Lake Louise and 1 in Jasper, but I think Banff is close enough to Lake Louise and we need to head that way anyway to get to Jasper.

The wife really wants to go to the West Edmonton Mall, so Sunday Morning we plan to leave Jasper and go to Edmonton and spend the day at the Mall and staying over a night in Edmonton. We'll get up early from there and head to Elk Island Park for a bit.

From there we plan to drive to Calgary and stay the night there as we have an early flight out in the morning. We may have time to just get a nice meal in Calgary, but won't have a ton of time there I'm guessing.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Just so you know, it is about a 4 hour drive from Jasper to Edmonton.In West Edmonton Mall the stores are only open until 6 pm on Sundays. 

If you are going to be in West Edmonton Mall until later Sunday afternoon, I would suggest going to Bourbon Street in the mall. There are about 10 restaurants to choose from in this area and you should be able to find something you will like. 

 

[steelerfan1]

The mall and Whyte Ave aren’t really that close to each other, 20 minute drive, plus parking might be a PITA. I’d really suggest giving the Mall most of that time and leaving Whyte Ave as a back up if you guys decide to get out of there. There’s so many stores that, if she’s like my missus, as soon as she starts trying things on your entire day is shot. Plus there’s things like mini golf, a gun range, go karts and more to do. Even just window shopping takes a couple hours. To me, Whyte Ave is like something I would do on a Sunday if I was bored and didn’t have anything else to do. Or when I was younger, it was a good spot for weekend nights because of all the bars. In my experience, you can find a Whyte Ave type of experience in most cities in the US and Canada. The giant mall is a bit more unique to Edmonton.

Thank you Borden! I can suck it up a day at the mall I guess...And yes, she is a professional shopper. I just noticed that Northern Exposure said the mall closes at 6 on Sunday, so Whyte Ave is definitely out. She did say 6 hours at the mall would be ok, but it looks like its quite a structure lol. 

 

[steelerfan1]

Just so you know, it is about a 4 hour drive from Jasper to Edmonton.In West Edmonton Mall the stores are only open until 6 pm on Sundays. 

If you are going to be in West Edmonton Mall until later Sunday afternoon, I would suggest going to Bourbon Street in the mall. There are about 10 restaurants to choose from in this area and you should be able to find something you will like. 

GOOD LOOKIN OUT NORTHERN! We will leave Jasper early so she will have a good 5 or more hours. She's said she's good with that. If it is a lot nicer that we expected, I'm sure we can head back the next morning before we head to Elk Island. She's also said that if we see enough wildlife in the prior days, she might not need to go there even.

 

[steelerfan1]

planning a trip there next year

Just a heads up Parrot....Things in Jasper escalated quickly  Most everything is already booked and we are going in late August.

Almost all final bookings are made for the trip.

Ended up we booked staying 3 nights in Banff at Canalta Lodge, around the 500 Block, so it's near the main area to walk, but not right in the center of town.

Will be staying 2 nights in Jasper at Bear Hill Lodge.

Both places are a little closer to town than I'd ideally prefer, but since the boss agreed to come here in place of our usual heat, sun and beach Caribbean ventures, I'm just gonna shut up.

Also booked a nice place in Edmonton at Staybridge Suites, right next to the mall, while our last day in Calgary will be at the in Airport Marriott due to an early flight and rental car companies not being open 24/7.

Gotta say I can't wait as Banff has been 1 of my bucket list places for a long time.

I may even "lose" my passport...

Thanks again northern exposure and Borden for the assistance. 

 

[northern exposure]

GOOD LOOKIN OUT NORTHERN! We will leave Jasper early so she will have a good 5 or more hours. She's said she's good with that. If it is a lot nicer that we expected, I'm sure we can head back the next morning before we head to Elk Island. She's also said that if we see enough wildlife in the prior days, she might not need to go there even.

No problem. We live close to the Mall, so have learned the hours of operation from our own ventures and taking out of town guests to see it. I will be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Any time I have been to Jasper I have seen plenty of wildlife on the highway we take from Edmonton. There are usually elk right on the main street in "downtown" Jasper too. 

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Banff vs Jasper. I much prefer Jasper. 

 

[northern exposure]

Just a heads up Parrot....Things in Jasper escalated quickly  Most everything is already booked and we are going in late August.

Almost all final bookings are made for the trip.

Ended up we booked staying 3 nights in Banff at Canalta Lodge, around the 500 Block, so it's near the main area to walk, but not right in the center of town.

Will be staying 2 nights in Jasper at Bear Hill Lodge.

Both places are a little closer to town than I'd ideally prefer, but since the boss agreed to come here in place of our usual heat, sun and beach Caribbean ventures, I'm just gonna shut up.

Also booked a nice place in Edmonton at Staybridge Suites, right next to the mall, while our last day in Calgary will be at the in Airport Marriott due to an early flight and rental car companies not being open 24/7.

Gotta say I can't wait as Banff has been 1 of my bucket list places for a long time.

I may even "lose" my passport...

Thanks again northern exposure and Borden for the assistance. 

You are welcome. It looks like you have made some good bookings. I'm a little out of touch on the pub style eateries in Jasper, etc. Because we have younger children, we stick to the family restaurants. I have a friend that goes quite often to Banff/Jasper with his wife. I'll ask him if he can suggest some preferred eating places. 

 

[steelerfan1]

No problem. We live close to the Mall, so have learned the hours of operation from our own ventures and taking out of town guests to see it. I will be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Any time I have been to Jasper I have seen plenty of wildlife on the highway we take from Edmonton. There are usually elk right on the main street in "downtown" Jasper too. 

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Banff vs Jasper. I much prefer Jasper. 

You have me a lot more intrigued by Jasper now. I may be regretting only spending 2 days there now. I'm sure my wife will love the mall. Bourbon Street looked pretty cool too.

 

[steelerfan1]

You are welcome. It looks like you have made some good bookings. I'm a little out of touch on the pub style eateries in Jasper, etc. Because we have younger children, we stick to the family restaurants. I have a friend that goes quite often to Banff/Jasper with his wife. I'll ask him if he can suggest some preferred eating places. 

I'd like their take if you hear from them. I've started Tripadvisoring the locals, but always interested in the FBG and friends take on things.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

They convinced you to go to Edmonton? Oh my...

 

[Ignoramus]

:sehorn: